However, even if you don’t have Prime, there’s still a way for you to get free shipping on orders: by spending at least $35. This only works for items marked as eligible, but most items sold through Amazon are eligible, so it’s nothing to worry about.

But wait, there’s one more trick you should know.

Let’s say you want to buy an item worth $30, or two items worth $15 each, with a shipping fee of $5. Instead, why not tack on an item worth $5 in order to unlock free shipping? If you do that, the additional item is basically free, isn’t it?

I am not a regular shopper on Amazon,as I can get free delivery to a local post office (five minute walk from where I live) from Walmart when I order online,and my biggest recent Amazon purchases have been gift certificates (which are a godsend at Xmas) which have no shipping fees,of course.

I do the same thing you mention here about fillers, using my wishlists. I'm constantly browsing and throwing items of all kinds into my wishlists, which are named appropriately for different categories like, "Books", "Electronics", "Gifts for Dad", etcetera.

It's the work of a moment to click any list and eyeball some low-buck "gotta-have" already-vetted item, and toss it in the cart. :)

If you live with other family members or maybe board with a roommate, it's just as easy. Everybody needs stuff, right? Tack on their electric toothbrush or whatever and then split the shipping...oh, wait! No shipping!